Hosts Megan (CDBC) & Bridget dive into the challenges of vet visits and why they can be so stressful for our dogs. We share personal stories, practical strategies, and insights into how behavior consultants can support both you and your vet in making visits easier. Plus, we discuss why proper desensitization is crucial when introducing dogs to new experiences—including other dogs.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro & Disclaimer

00:49 - Disclaimer Ends

00:57 - Storytime: Maple at the vet – Megan shares her experience with Maple’s vet visit and the ways we can support our nervous dogs.

06:09 - Finding a Fear Free Vet – How Fear Free-certified vets can make a world of difference for dogs with past trauma, anxiety, or reactivity at the vet. Tips on what to look for and how to advocate for your dog’s comfort.

09:38 - Bridget’s Vet Story – A heartwarming example of how some vets are integrating behavior knowledge into their practice.

12:05 - Behavior Consultants & Vet Collaboration – How we can help communicate your dog’s behavior struggles to your vet for a better, more supportive experience.

15:24 - Desensitization Overview – What is desensitization, and why is it essential for stress-free experiences?

18:41 - When Desensitization is Skipped – A real-life example of a dog-reactive pup being introduced to another dog without proper preparation—and what we can learn from it.

Resources: 

Fear Free Vets: https://fearfreepets.com/certified-practice-directory

A Quick Note:

This episode was originally part of a longer conversation covering even more behavior concepts. We’ll be expanding on these topics in upcoming episodes, sharing more specific examples, tools, and strategies to help you and your dog thrive. So stay tuned—there’s so much more to come on this journey! Stay tuned!

Thanks for listening! If you found this episode helpful, subscribe, rate, and review to help other dog owners find us! You can also submit your own questions for the pod at holisticdogbehavior.com/podcast

Connect with Us: